BLM Begins Annual Release At Hult Dam
- 12/22/25
Springfield, Ore. — Bureau of Land Management officials recently began the annual shift to winter operations at Hult Dam. As winter rainfall increases, the BLM increases the amount of water passing through the dam to mitigate the risk of the reservoir overflowing.
“To protect downstream communities, we partially open the valve in the winter so heavy seasonal flows of water can safely pass through the dam,” said Sarah Bickford, Siuslaw Field Manager. “Public safety is our first priority, and we don’t want excess water building up behind the aging dam.”
The BLM partially opened the valve on Dec 17 to bring the water level to the ideal height just above the spillway. Staff further opened the valve the evening of Dec 18 after heavy rain and will make adjustments as needed. BLM engineers work with fisheries and wildlife staff to monitor the dam to reduce the chance of overflowing water and debris from the reservoir while protecting habitat.
While the BLM vigilantly monitors the reservoir, opening the valve during the winter does not fully eliminate the risk of an overflow event if an unusually significant rain or rain-on-snow event causes major flooding. Residents should stay aware of local forecasts and be prepared for extreme weather events.
The BLM plans to safely remove Hult Dam in the future. While the timeline is to be determined, additional details on the planning process can be found in the Hult Reservoir and Dam Safety Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), EIS Summary, and Record of Decision.
-BLM-
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
BLM Begins Annual Release At Hult Dam
- 12/22/25
Springfield, Ore. — Bureau of Land Management officials recently began the annual shift to winter operations at Hult Dam. As winter rainfall increases, the BLM increases the amount of water passing through the dam to mitigate the risk of the reservoir overflowing.
“To protect downstream communities, we partially open the valve in the winter so heavy seasonal flows of water can safely pass through the dam,” said Sarah Bickford, Siuslaw Field Manager. “Public safety is our first priority, and we don’t want excess water building up behind the aging dam.”
The BLM partially opened the valve on Dec 17 to bring the water level to the ideal height just above the spillway. Staff further opened the valve the evening of Dec 18 after heavy rain and will make adjustments as needed. BLM engineers work with fisheries and wildlife staff to monitor the dam to reduce the chance of overflowing water and debris from the reservoir while protecting habitat.
While the BLM vigilantly monitors the reservoir, opening the valve during the winter does not fully eliminate the risk of an overflow event if an unusually significant rain or rain-on-snow event causes major flooding. Residents should stay aware of local forecasts and be prepared for extreme weather events.
The BLM plans to safely remove Hult Dam in the future. While the timeline is to be determined, additional details on the planning process can be found in the Hult Reservoir and Dam Safety Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), EIS Summary, and Record of Decision.
-BLM-
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
